Accounting and Taxes Thread

[fotze2]

And a lot of swords.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by fotze2

And a lot of swords.

There are a lot of swords. But those are MINE!!

[PepsiFree]

Seems like a lot of issues that could be solved through automation

[Locke]

So if anyone has been paying attention, the concept to 'automate' taxes has been attempted and it turned into nothing short of an absolute fiasco.

Maybe dont entrust the automation process to people who are still trying to figure out how to set the time on their VCRs.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by cSpooge

To be fair to them it is proper security not to allow you to unlock it online. If it could all just be done online bad actors would take advantage of that. CRA is open 430 - 2100 MT so that is hardly business hours.

I'm not sure I understand the logic here. I can access my CRA account online and do pretty much anything I need to including changing direct deposit information, setting up MFA etc. Only thing I apparently cannot do is unlock my Netfile so I can actually file my taxes.

It's not my entire account that is locked, just the Netfile portion.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

I'm not sure I understand the logic here. I can access my CRA account online and do pretty much anything I need to including changing direct deposit information, setting up MFA etc. Only thing I apparently cannot do is unlock my Netfile so I can actually file my taxes.

It's not my entire account that is locked, just the Netfile portion.

Lol! Nice.

If it gets too close to Hell, let me know. I can file them.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

Well done CRA. The software issue that prevented my from Net filing has finally been fixed. But now my Netfile account is locked due to too many unsuccessful attempts and the only way to unlock is to call CRA and have someone unlock it. Why TF can't I do that by logging into my CRA account and doing it myself? But no, I have to actually call and talk to someone. Which I tried yesterday and after spending an hour on hold they promptly said the offices were closed for the day and to try back another day and hung up.

Edit:
And naturally the only time to call is during business hours. When I am at work, and when I do not have access to my tax files which are on my computer at home. And when I should be working for my employer rather than spending time on the phone doing something I should be able to fix myself.

Originally Posted by cSpooge

To be fair to them it is proper security not to allow you to unlock it online. If it could all just be done online bad actors would take advantage of that. CRA is open 430 - 2100 MT so that is hardly business hours.

Originally Posted by Lubicon

I'm not sure I understand the logic here. I can access my CRA account online and do pretty much anything I need to including changing direct deposit information, setting up MFA etc. Only thing I apparently cannot do is unlock my Netfile so I can actually file my taxes.

It's not my entire account that is locked, just the Netfile portion.

The problem is that is EXACTLY how CRA was breached for what we think may be several hundred millions of dollars. There is NO test/verify on Netfile, so hackers (allegedly) obtained access to CRA "MyAccounts" through (again, allegedly) spoofed H&R accounts, stole SINs and other identifying info, created fake T4s etc with large tax amounts and then NETfiled returns in those peoples' names before they could do so AND changed their banking info....result....tons of money to criminals.


Why? Because CRA never checked the creds of those T4 filers OR of the NETfilers.


It's a widespread issue and its been primarily downloaded on us poor tax practictioners this year. They "fixed" the T4 problem by requiring additional...and VERY SLOW logons...with additional info added to each T4. THEN they screwed with our access to Rep A Client...(our version of your online MyAccount) to deny all kinds of access and utility. Then they decided that y'all could file just fine by next Wednesday despite everything.


CRA is as incompetent as it comes to security. They implemented what is possibly the stupidest form of 2FA for us, yet did nothing for most regular taxpayers unless they'd already been breached. Yup....really smart.


Try getting a non-techie person, or certain disabled or just unwilling people, to get an online account at CRA. It's not a fun process, and CRA keeps telling everyone that's where they're going.


Fun times!



Complain to your MP when you get one.

[calf]

Too much tax talk. Not enough about new IFRS standards like the date of recognition/derecognition of financial assets and liabilities under IFRS 9 or IFRS 18's effects on Presentation and Disclosure in financial statements.

Who's early adopting?

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by calf

Too much tax talk. Not enough about new IFRS standards like the date of recognition/derecognition of financial assets and liabilities under IFRS 9 or IFRS 18's effects on Presentation and Disclosure in financial statements.

Who's early adopting?

Avoiding IFRS since inception like a plague of locusts.

[kipperiggy]

Originally Posted by Locke

You're the worst. Just the worst.

You are bad and you should feel bad for being so bad.

It's just myself I'm screwing over so what else is new lol

I'm still not done!!

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

Well done CRA. The software issue that prevented my from Net filing has finally been fixed. But now my Netfile account is locked due to too many unsuccessful attempts and the only way to unlock is to call CRA and have someone unlock it. Why TF can't I do that by logging into my CRA account and doing it myself? But no, I have to actually call and talk to someone. Which I tried yesterday and after spending an hour on hold they promptly said the offices were closed for the day and to try back another day and hung up.

Edit:
And naturally the only time to call is during business hours. When I am at work, and when I do not have access to my tax files which are on my computer at home. And when I should be working for my employer rather than spending time on the phone doing something I should be able to fix myself.

Do you know how many unsuccessful attempts you took before being blocked? I'm running into a similar issue, and don't want to blow past it today and end up where you are, which sounds ####ty as hell.

[Fuzz]

Oh, it looks like this is a dollar off issue(online says one number, my return form last year one dollar more), but I'm pretty sure I tried four times today, and the internet tells me I get five, so I guess I'll try tomorrow and hope the counter resets...So dumb.

[lazypucker]

This year is a cluster##### for tax filing.

First, many of the T3s and T5s are not loaded the CRA website, thus the auto-fill did not work. I have just recevied a T3 mailed to me by the bank just last week, which is like 6 weeks later than it supposed to be!!

Another thing is that many of the "free" tax software are not accurate in filling out the forms and calculating your returns. I normally used a couple different free software as an error check, and usually the math is accurate.

But this year I found some glaring errors on how the different software calculate and I have used 3 different ones (CloudTax, H&R Block, and GenuTax) and they all give me different amounts, and they are off by a few hundred dollars!!

I found out that one software did not deduct my T777 (home office expense) amounts off my gross income, while another brand did not subtract my wife's net income from the AB428 to calculate provincial tax credits, each resulting in a few hundred dollar differences in tax payable amounts.

I am stunned that these so called "CRA-certified" software can make such giant mistakes even a non-tax professional like me can figure out.

To me, GenuTax seems to be the most accurate out of the free bunch. But a disclaimer, YMMV.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

This year is a cluster##### for tax filing.

First, many of the T3s and T5s are not loaded the CRA website, thus the auto-fill did not work. I have just recevied a T3 mailed to me by the bank just last week, which is like 6 weeks later than it supposed to be!!

Another thing is that many of the "free" tax software are not accurate in filling out the forms and calculating your returns. I normally used a couple different free software as an error check, and usually the math is accurate.

But this year I found some glaring errors on how the different software calculate and I have used 3 different ones (CloudTax, H&R Block, and GenuTax) and they all give me different amounts, and they are off by a few hundred dollars!!

I found out that one software did not deduct my T777 (home office expense) amounts off my gross income, while another brand did not subtract my wife's net income from the AB428 to calculate provincial tax credits, each resulting in a few hundred dollar differences in tax payable amounts.

I am stunned that these so called "CRA-certified" software can make such giant mistakes even a non-tax professional like me can figure out.

To me, GenuTax seems to be the most accurate out of the free bunch. But a disclaimer, YMMV.

CRA doesn't certify them to be "accurate".


They certify them to deliver the information CRA requires in a CRA-readable form for direct import to CRA's own databases and calculation software.


FWIW, the same thing is true for my tax software, which costs close to $2,500 annually. But we have someone to yell at when we find errors (and we DO know how to find them!!)

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Seems like a lot of issues that could be solved through automation

We get it. You don’t like Locke. He could start a thread about what mini wheats flavour is best and you’d post ‘hope you catch cancer and die.’ Go easy.

[Locke]

As the April 30 tax-filing deadline approaches, many tax practitioners are struggling to complete tax returns on time as they input data manually and attempt to ensure that clients’ tax slips are all accounted for. The onerous process has some of them calling for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to provide a filing extension.

“Make sure to send all slips this year — do not rely on us being able to get information from the CRA.”

The CRA did not respond to a request for comment.

https://www.investmentexecutive.com/...n-cra-portals/

This is my 23rd Tax Season and I never thought they'd top the COVID year, but I think this one takes it as the most brutal.

Just...so much stuff is clearly incorrect or straight up missing and we're juggling tax returns because one is 80% complete the next one is 95% complete, this information is impossible to find and on and on.

And its like every week CRA finds a new and creative way to screw up and when it happens they throw up their hands:

"It wasn't us! We didn't do it! Super swearsies...now...you fix it!"

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Do you know how many unsuccessful attempts you took before being blocked? I'm running into a similar issue, and don't want to blow past it today and end up where you are, which sounds ####ty as hell.

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Oh, it looks like this is a dollar off issue(online says one number, my return form last year one dollar more), but I'm pretty sure I tried four times today, and the internet tells me I get five, so I guess I'll try tomorrow and hope the counter resets...So dumb.

It was five unsuccessful attempts. Which also was odd because I was not notified out after the fifth unsuccessful attempt, I was notified on the 6th attempt after the issue was corrected.

[Fuzz]

Will try again this morning, I hope the counter resets.

[Fuzz]

Success! I went back to my last return and saw a calculated amount that came to $188.9 which on my return was rounded to $189, which makes sense. On the CRA they have it as $188.0. I guess they don't know how to round, and just lop off the last digit, so if your value is over 0.5 you will end up having a disagreement on your forms and theirs.


I can't believe I have to say this, but how the #### do they not know how to round? Presumably this is a coding thing, because I just can't imagine an accountant being OK with that decision. Maybe they had AI build the code.

[Fuzz]

LOL, and nothing is working on the CRA site.

Spoiler!

It seems the only thing working there is the interest accruing on their BS reassessment of mine they need to fix once someone gets to it. I hope they nuke the interest when they realize the charge was wrong and re-fix it but who knows...